Poland vs Slovakia

It was all bad luck for Poland in this one. The Poles deserved better, outshooting Slovakia 10-2 but losing the match.

Poland played this final World Cup qualifier at home in Chorzow in dreadful conditions — a snowy and slushy pitch under a thick snowfall.

The yellow and purple ball used in the game did not contrast well with the snow, making it effectively impossible to see the
ball.

Why in the world the bright orange ball wasn’t used is beyond the comprehension of any sane individual.

Adding to the misery, the match was played to a near empty stadium.

Horrible weather wasn’t the only thing keeping fans home.

No chance of advancement for Poland to South Africa and an organized boycott of the match by Polish fans contributed most.

Polish supporters are seeking a complete overhaul of the Polish Football Federation leadership because of the sad state of football currently in Poland.

Slovakia meanwhile came into the match with everything to play for, needing a win to assure a place in next year’s World Cup
finals.

For Poland, Jerzy Dudek started in goal. Roger was also in the first eleven.

Poland had the better of the chances in this match but could only convert that into an own goal.

It came in the 3rd minute.

A cross by a Slovakian player was met by Pole Seweryn Gancarczyk in the Polish area.

Gancarczyk and his failed clearance put the ball in his team’s own net for the game’s only score.

Some of Poland’s best chances – once again – came from Ireneusz Jelen, who provided wonderful opportunities in the 21st and
44th minutes.

Firstly Jelen hit a hard grounder but it went right at keeper Jan Mucha, who couldn’t handle it. Fortunately for Mucha a defender was there to clean it up.

Then just before the interval, Jelen latched onto a short cross near the goal, but it went over the bar.

Poland’s best chance of the half however came from Mariusz Lewandowski after 31 minutes.

That was when he blasted a long ranger off the crossbar, rattling a pile of snow off the woodwork.

In the 66th minute, it was Jelen again. He launched a rocket that surprised a flat-footed Mucha, the shot thumping off the
goalie’s chest.

Jelen’s reward for being Poland’s most dangerous offensive threat yet again? He was substituted within two minutes.

In the 84th minute, Mariusz Lewandowski fired a missile from outside the area, but a nifty diving save from keeper Mucha kept the Slovakian scoresheet clean.

Injury time, and as the entire match went so did this incident: a Polish player was brought down in the Slovakian area, but
referee whistle remained silent.

And so Slovakia earn their first trip to a World Cup final, while Poland is left with many doubts about their future.